![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Beijing_2008_DSCN1859.jpg)
Bĕijīng train station - the big board isn't much help if
you don't read Chinese!
Giant
Buddha
statue
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Buddha_2008_CIMG2206.jpg)
The Spring Temple Buddha (鲁山大佛) in Lǔshān Xiàn
county (鲁山县) Hénán is 428 feet (128m) tall, which makes
it the tallest statue in the world.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Bi_Gan_2008_IMG_0958.jpg)
Bi Gan Temple (比干庙) near Xīnxiāng (新乡)
Home
of
the
Yì
Jīng (I Ching)
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_I_Ching_2008_IMG_0980.jpg)
The
Yì
Jīng (易经) is one of the oldest Chinese texts (
here's
an
online
translation).
The Yì Jīng Ruins site near the city of
Mèngzhōu
(孟州) in Jiāozuò Prefecture (焦作) of northern Hénán
Province is
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_I_Ching_2008_IMG_0981.jpg)
The site has both extremely old artifacts relating to the
Yì Jīng, as well as some English language explanations.
Some of the explanations can be a little tricky, as you can see here,
so it's good to do a little research before arriving.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_I_Ching_2008_IMG_0972.jpg)
The author of the sign in the parking lot advising
visitors to lock their car doors could use a little tutoring.
They got the point across, though.
Shàolín
Sì
(Shaolin
Temple)
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Shaolin_2008_IMG_0905.jpg)
The Shàolín Temple (少林寺) at Sōng Shān (嵩山
= Song Mountain) is the original home of Shaolin-style kung fu
and one of the oldest Chán (Zen) Buddhist temples. The
Shaolin practice several styles of martial arts in the temple and are
known for amazing athleticism and extraordinary feats. Shaolin
kung fu was made famous in America by the
old television series
starring David Carradine.
The Shàolín Temple is still a place where people go to
study Chán (Zen) Buddhism, as well as train in kung fu.
The students put on shows to help raise money to support their
school. In the show, three volunteers are selected from the
audience to try some kung fu moves, and Anthony got the chance.
Anthony is around 6'4" (193 cm) and 165-275 pounds (120-125 kg), and
he's an ardent weight lifter, so he's all muscle and bone.
Luckily, his mother teaches yoga and she made sure Anthony learned to
stretch because some of the diving roles and movements Anthony was
asked to do in front of the crowd were very gymnastic. Anthony
did a great job and won the hearts of the audience quickly with his
personality and enthusiasm.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Shaolin_2008_IMG_0917.jpg)
Anthony coming out of a diving roll at the kung fu
demonstration at the Shàolín Temple.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Shaolin_2008_IMG_0875.jpg)
The Shàolín Temple is not just a tourist
destination, nor a mere martial arts academy - rather it is a spiritual
place where people go to study Buddhism.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Shaolin_2008_CIMG2420.jpg)
These are monuments to great leaders of the
Shàolín Temple who have died and returned to
brilliancy.
(reference to Zen master Hoshin's final words poem:
I came from brilliancy
And return to brilliancy.
What is this?
(quoted from
Zen Flesh - Zen Bones)
.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Shaolin_2008_IMG_0890.jpg)
One finds inspirational signs like this one posted above
each toilet at the Shàolín Temple. Toilets do
strike me as a great place for inspirational posters because people
have time to stop and think.
Dinner with Henan
Geological Survey
experts
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_2008_DSCN1893.jpg)
We met with the Henan Geological Survey - specifically
their mineral deposits division. Some people spoke English,
others Chinese, but the discussions were always interesting. The
Henan Survey has some good people.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_2008_DSCN1925.jpg)
We were treated to some of the local delicacies.
These fried scorpions served on fried rice noodles weren't bad.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_2008_DSCN1926.jpg)
These fried grub worms were actually quite tasty once one
got over the idea of sticking a big, thumb-sized worm in one's
mouth. I would be fine if these things were standard fare.
Henan
countryside
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_DG_2008_IMG_0699.jpg)
The air was very hazy the entire time we were
there. The haze had a slightly yellow/brown color, so it wasn't
just a continuous fog, rather it had a healthy dose of smog thrown
in.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_DG_2008_IMG_0687.jpg)
The mountains were relatively steep, so the local farmers
had to terrace the land for farming.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_DG_2008_IMG_0713.jpg)
The streets were widely used for drying harvested
grains. Among the grains grown here was sorghum - the key
ingredient for making
báijiŭ
(白酒 = a very strong, colorless "white" liquor).
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_DG_2008_IMG_0718.jpg)
Typical roadside housing in rural Hénán
Province.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_DG_2008_IMG_0725.jpg)
Typical view of the Qinling Mountains.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_LMG_2008_IMG_0771.jpg)
Farmers working in the late afternoon
fields. Each family has their own plot of land that they
work.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_LMG_2008_IMG_0779.jpg)
More farmers with two of their motorbikes for
transporting their tools. Most people appear to work in pairs,
which I imagine could be pretty therapeutic.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Pingdingshan_2008_IMG_0676.jpg)
Pingdingshan City - a small city by Chinese
standards. Most people live in big apartment buildings like
these.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Song%20Xian%20City_2008_CIMG2129.jpg)
A truly forbidden city! We stopped to stay the
night here, but were kicked out by the police because no westerners
were allowed. Our hosts were clearly embarrassed by our ejection
and tried to explain by telling us that the city is near a military
base... or near a gold mine... or near a gold mine owned by the
military (the reasons varied). Personally, I really don't care
about military bases and political stuff - it was just a minor nuisance
that kept us up a little later that night because we had to drive to
the next city (an hour's drive away).
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Song%20Xian%20City_2008_CIMG2297.jpg)
Police escorting us out of the city with lights
on. In retrospect, it's an amusing little experience. I
feel a little bad for the police who had to accompany us, although they
may have enjoyed the break in their routine work.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_2008_IMG_0629.jpg)
Another fairly typical small city view. There is a
lot of construction going on all over Hénán.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_2008_IMG_0640.jpg)
Shops in rural Hénán
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_2008_IMG_0611.jpg)
Rural Hénán
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_2008_IMG_0614.jpg)
An old fellow in rural Hénán. Seeing
folks like this always makes me wonder what they've seen in their
lifetimes.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_2008_IMG_0606.jpg)
Recycle wagon in rural Hénán
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_2008_IMG_0628.jpg)
The everywhere-present piles of bricks typical of...
everywhere in
Hénán!
They are definitely building things!
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_2008_IMG_0534.jpg)
Farmer transporting hay
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_little_vein_2008_IMG_0564.jpg)
Hénán farmers make really
great haystacks!
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_little_vein_2008_IMG_0554.jpg)
More bricks, recycled bottles, and edible fungus in sticks
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_LMG_2008_IMG_0748.jpg)
The wok used for cooking all meals at a small ma-and-pa
roadside "diner" in rural Hénán.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_LMG_2008_IMG_0750.jpg)
The ingredients for some nice soup prepared by the
restaurant
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_LMG_2008_IMG_0761.jpg)
Old man smoking a really long, ornate pipe. I
suppose the long tube would allow the smoke to cool. He
apparently can adjust the air mix through the hole he's using in this
photo.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_LMG_2008_IMG_0753.jpg)
Old man smoking his long, ornate pipe from the end.
Note he has his thumb over the air hole at the midpoint on the long
pipe.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_QSW_2008_IMG_0489.jpg)
Kids are great everywhere in the world. Chinese
kids are definitely among my favorite encountered in my various
travels. They have such great, curious, and enthusiastic
attitudes.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Zhengzhou_2008_IMG_0955.jpg)
Loads of straw can get pretty big. The suspension
on this truck appears to be sagging a bit on the right.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Zhengzhou_2008_IMG_0970.jpg)
Tiny tractors like this are fairly common. They may
not be the monster-sized beasts we have here in the U.S., but they get
the job done!
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_little_vein_2008_IMG_0539.jpg)
Fresh fruit was always available from roadside stands
like this one.
Coal
processing
plant
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Coal_2008_IMG_0657.jpg)
One of the Chinese members of our group owned several
coal processing plants, so we got a fascinating tour. "Lăobăn"
(老板) was a great guy - very considerate of others. He's one of
the only Chinese people I've known who smoke, but are very
conscientious about nonsmoking people around him.
Steel
smelter
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Steel_2008_IMG_0794.jpg)
Lăobăn also had a steel smelting facility. This
was an amazing facility that specialized in some unusual alloys.
As much as I like geology, this was one of the most interesting stops
we made during the trip. These are used cupolas from which the
molten steel is poured.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Steel_2008_CIMG2354.jpg)
Pouring molten steel from a cupola.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Steel_2008_IMG_0809.jpg)
Guys working around the smelting furnace.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Steel_2008_IMG_0813.jpg)
One of the furnace intakes
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Steel_2008_IMG_0826.jpg)
A view inside the smelting furnace. This photo was
taken with a telephoto lens because it was far too hot to approach
without the special protective gear worn by the workers.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Steel_2008_IMG_0828.jpg)
Feeding fuel into the furnace
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Steel_2008_IMG_0851.jpg)
A couple of bosses talk while workers poke the hole from
which the steel pours into the cupola. The hole can plug up with
cooling steel - thus the need to poke the hole to keep it open.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Steel_2008_IMG_0869.jpg)
Happy workers after a shift.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Steel_2008_CIMG2324.jpg)
Slag waste bricks
When one smelts ore into metal, the silicate component of the ore melts
and floats on top like an artificial lava. That artificial lava
is poured off as waste and cooled into "rock" called slag.
![Friehauf - China 2008 photos](http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/china_henan_2008/Friehauf_Henan_Steel_2008_IMG_0803.jpg)
A beautiful ancient river channel exposed in a recent
dozer cut near the smelter